The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-03-16

BUSINESS OUTLOOK.

There has been a slow movement OF
merchandise for domestic comsump-
ton since our last steamer review.
Stocks are full and speculative move
ment is improbable. The uncertainty
regarding the Treaty with the United
States is disquieting factor. If there
were finality one way or the other re-
garding it business would adapt itself to
settled conditions, but no definite line
of action is possible while uncertainty
continues.
Receipts of sugar from the mills are
unusually large. The output everywhere
is satisfactory. Indeed, in not few
cases the yield of sugar has been ex-
ceptionally heavy. This, however, is
not so much the result of an increased
crop of cane as it is of the use of inn
proved machinery for sugar making
That Hawaiian planters are now gener-
ally in a first-class position as regards
mechanical appliances for making sugar
is undoubted, and this seasons opera
tions will doubtless repay their enter
prise, despite the fact that sugar is now
quoted at lower figures than ever before
in the history of its production. There
is one source of compensation, however,
in the case of low prices. These stimu-
late consumption and create wants which
continue to be supplied after consider
able advance has been established
This has been the experience of the
past, and there is no reason why it
should not prove true of the present
depression when better prices begin to
be realized. Should general Euro
pean war take place an advance in the
price of cane sugar is inevitable.
The weather has been favorable of
late, and advantage is being taken of it
in the cane growing districts. No
special remark is called for by the state
of the rice industry, high rents general
ly rendering it barely profitable to
those engaged in it. Low prices on the
Coast check banana production. I'm
fortunately, little interest is taken in
fruit growing as an industry, although
there can be no doubt it would pay if
intelligently prosecuted.
The heavy OUTPUT of sugar gives en-
ployment to all available bottoms. The
Alameda took over twelve thousand
bags of sugar and fair complement of
bananas on her last up trip. The Aus
tralia takes her departure to-day a very
full ship, the bulk of the cargo being
sugar and whale oil. Sailing vessels are
likewise kept busy. There is great hustle
and activity along the wharves caused
by the receipt of sugar from the various
plantations and its transfer to ware
houses or sea-going vessels. Messrs |
VIM. G.. Irwin & Co. transferred "a 900 |
bags sugar, forwarded by their various
plantations on Sunday and Monday last,
to the Australia from the coasting yes
sells. Their warehouse is full of sugar
awaiting shipment, and the accumula-
ton continues. This necessarily in
wolves heavy weekly disbursements on
account of wages, other plantation agents
being also busy. Notwithstanding this
act, however, the retail trade has latter
y ruled dull.
A new feature to be noted IN our inn
'ort trade is the heavy receipts of opium,
hat commodity now being admitted
lnder special tariff. Its sale has been
licensed, subject to restrictions imposed
" law.
The tariff concessions to South Sea
stands products made by the Legisla-
ure last session have not as yet caused
ny sensible increase of trade in that
ERECTION. 1t may grow, however.
On the whole the business outlook is
ot discouraging, and it would be mate
ALLY improved if the Government were
, begin much needed harbor improve
ient works The increase of shipping
heavy tonnage frequenting the port is
but no steps have been
ken to make corresponding increase ,
] harbor facilities. !;